Delhi Police to target drunk drivers this New Year's eve

Caught once for drunk driving? Be careful this New Year eve as if you are caught again for driving in an inebriated condition, you may land up in jail for at least six months.

The Delhi Traffic Police have decided to use 100 e-challan devices to catch drunk drivers in the Capital during its year-end special drive starting from December 21.

The devices have been recently hired by the Delhi police and the project — which includes the hardware, the software, the maintenance and operation of 1,200 sets — will cost around R14.26 crore.

The traffic police are in the process of storing data of 50,000 previous offenders in the system and expect to catch a good number of subsequent offenders with the help of e-challan devices.

“Those who are caught for the second time for drunk driving can be sent them to jail for six months as per the Motor Vehicle Act,” said Satyendra Garg, joint CP (traffic).

The 12-day drive will also be a late night affair — starting at 11pm and ending not before 4am when city's watering holes see the maximum number of revellers. So far, the traffic police have conducted special drives against drunk driving latest till 1am.

Senior traffic police officers said they have formed 50 special team teams for the drive and each team will have a woman constable so that women drunk drivers can also be checked and caught.

The drive, which will continue till January 1, will pay special emphasis on bikers, said sources.